Evesham had planned a big commemoration for VE Day in the town’s marketplace, which would have been opened by the town’s vicar, Andrew Spurr and featured lots of bunting as well as music, clothing and hairstyles from the end of the war. However, with the Coronavirus pandemic, a very different commemoration was planned.
“We have held a number of events marking key World War 2 anniversaries in Evesham and our civic remembrance service is always very popular, so I was keen that we should still commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day in some way,” said Andrew.
Andrew has worked with Evesham’s Mayor and the Chair of the Royal British Legion to put together a simple service. It was recorded at the war memorial early on Monday morning with each segment and individual speaker filmed separately so that appropriate social distances could be kept. The film was then edited together to be released on VE Day on the parish website and various social media pages.
“Altogether, it is around 12 minutes in length. It includes sections on remembering, thanksgiving and prayers for future peace and the Mayor, Councillor Mark Goodge, will read part of the speech given by Winston Churchill declaring the cessation of hostilities,” said Andrew. “It’s so important to remember that the freedoms we enjoy were hard won as well as valuing and affirming the parts of our society that are a direct result of WW2, including the NHS and our welfare state.”
